Edgartown welcomes NOAA research vessel

The tents were a-rockin’ at the Doctor Daniel Fisher House this past Thursday as the Preservation Trust kicked off another summer season with their annual Taste of the Vineyard event. Hundreds of revelers flooded the lawns and dance floor in their finest attire to eat, sip, celebrate, and catch up with old friends perhaps separated by winter wanderings.

I got to catch up with Kevin and Lizzy Ward, who spend their winters in Florida. As many of you know, Lizzy is my new best friend, as evidenced by my recent Facebook status. Let this be a lesson to you all never to leave an iPhone unattended near Lizzy — I got off easy, as she’d be a delightful best friend, but others have not been so lucky. Ask Posie Dolby.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding atop Loon Mountain in New Hampshire this past Saturday, June 14, and luckily there was an eager groom and blushing bride on hand to say their “I do’s.” Kraig Mundt and Ashley Spinney exchanged vows surrounded by friends, family, picturesque vistas of the White Mountains, and of course plenty of MVRHS hockey alumni. Now back to work — no rest for the high-season weary —the two plan to honeymoon sometime this winter. Best wishes for a happy future, you two.

You may catch a familiar face aboard the Gloria Michelle, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel that will be docked at Memorial Wharf on Thursday, June 19. Senior officer on the vessel is Lt. Anna-Liza Villard-Howe, who grew up on Chappy and acquired her sea legs working on and later captaining the Chappy Ferry. Lt. Villard-Howe will be accompanied by NOAA scientists who will explain the work they do. Science classes from the Edgartown School will be visiting in the morning, then the vessel will be open for visits by seniors from the Anchors from 1 to 2 pm, and finally the general public are permitted to come aboard from 2 to 4 pm.

The 6th Annual Garden Party to benefit the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard will be held on Monday, June 30, from 5 to 8 pm at a beautiful estate overlooking Vineyard Sound. Items up for grabs at the live and silent auctions include a luxury skybox for the finals of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, a week for up to 10 at a Cabo San Lucas resort, a charter fishing outing, a glider ride, golf, art, oysters, and much more. For reservations, please call the shelter at 508-627-8662.

Join Edgartown Poet Laureate Steve Ewing and MV Poet Laureate Lee McCormack and 14 other performers on Thursday June 19, from 6 to 8 pm at Featherstone to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, love of music and the spoken word to the outdoor stage. In case of rain, under the tent.

Seniors, the FOBCOA (Friends of Oak Bluffs Council on Aging) are heading to Foxwoods on Tuesday, July 22, and Tuesday, August 26, and you are invited. The cost is $30 per person, which covers bus transportation from Woods Hole to the casino and back. Participants provide their own SSA ticket and spending money. You’ll depart on the 7 am SSA boat leaving Vineyard Haven and return on the 6:15 pm. For information or to reserve your space, call 508-693-4509, ext. 3.

Happy 30th wedding anniversary to Tim and Laura Bryan, who celebrated this milestone on June 16. Here’s to many more, you crazy kids.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Michael Gazaille, Kelly Boccia, and Ed Gargan, who celebrate June 19, and to Chris Amaral and Gary Hathaway, June 24. Have fun!